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Create node configuration files for Red Hat Enterprise Linux deployments

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Node configuration files are small text files that provide the information the StorageGRID host service needs to start a node and connect it to the appropriate network and block storage resources. Node configuration files are used for virtual nodes and aren't used for appliance nodes.

Location for node configuration files

Place the configuration file for each StorageGRID node in the /etc/storagegrid/nodes directory on the host where the node will run. For example, if you plan to run one Admin Node, one Gateway Node, and one Storage Node on HostA, you must place three node configuration files in /etc/storagegrid/nodes on HostA.

You can create the configuration files directly on each host using a text editor, such as vim or nano, or you can create them elsewhere and move them to each host.

Naming of node configuration files

The names of the configuration files are significant. The format is node-name.conf, where node-name is a name you assign to the node. This name appears in the StorageGRID Installer and is used for node maintenance operations, such as node migration.

Node names must follow these rules:

  • Must be unique

  • Must start with a letter

  • Can contain the characters A through Z and a through z

  • Can contain the numbers 0 through 9

  • Can contain one or more hyphens (-)

  • Must be no more than 32 characters, not including the .conf extension

Any files in /etc/storagegrid/nodes that don't follow these naming conventions will not be parsed by the host service.

If you have a multi-site topology planned for your grid, a typical node naming scheme might be:

site-nodetype-nodenumber.conf

For example, you might use dc1-adm1.conf for the first Admin Node in Data Center 1, and dc2-sn3.conf for the third Storage Node in Data Center 2. However, you can use any scheme you like, as long as all node names follow the naming rules.

Contents of a node configuration file

A configuration file contains key/value pairs, with one key and one value per line. For each key/value pair, follow these rules:

  • The key and the value must be separated by an equal sign (=) and optional whitespace.

  • The keys can contain no spaces.

  • The values can contain embedded spaces.

  • Any leading or trailing whitespace is ignored.

The following table defines the values for all supported keys. Each key has one of the following designations:

  • Required: Required for every node or for the specified node types

  • Best practice: Optional, although recommended

  • Optional: Optional for all nodes

Admin Network keys

ADMIN_IP

Value Designation

Grid Network IPv4 address of the primary Admin Node for the grid to which this node belongs. Use the same value you specified for GRID_NETWORK_IP for the grid node with NODE_TYPE = VM_Admin_Node and ADMIN_ROLE = Primary. If you omit this parameter, the node attempts to discover a primary Admin Node using mDNS.

How grid nodes discover the primary Admin Node

Note: This value is ignored, and might be prohibited, on the primary Admin Node.

Best practice

ADMIN_NETWORK_CONFIG

Value Designation

DHCP, STATIC, or DISABLED

Optional

ADMIN_NETWORK_ESL

Value Designation

Comma-separated list of subnets in CIDR notation to which this node should communicate using the Admin Network gateway.

Example: 172.16.0.0/21,172.17.0.0/21

Optional

ADMIN_NETWORK_GATEWAY

Value Designation

IPv4 address of the local Admin Network gateway for this node. Must be on the subnet defined by ADMIN_NETWORK_IP and ADMIN_NETWORK_MASK. This value is ignored for DHCP-configured networks.

Examples:

1.1.1.1

10.224.4.81

Required if ADMIN_NETWORK_ESL is specified. Optional otherwise.

ADMIN_NETWORK_IP

Value Designation

IPv4 address of this node on the Admin Network. This key is only required when ADMIN_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC; don't specify it for other values.

Examples:

1.1.1.1

10.224.4.81

Required when ADMIN_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC.

Optional otherwise.

ADMIN_NETWORK_MAC

Value Designation

The MAC address for the Admin Network interface in the container.

This field is optional. If omitted, a MAC address will be generated automatically.

Must be 6 pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons.

Example: b2:9c:02:c2:27:10

Optional

ADMIN_NETWORK_MASK

Value Designation

IPv4 netmask for this node, on the Admin Network. Specify this key when ADMIN_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC; don't specify it for other values.

Examples:

255.255.255.0

255.255.248.0

Required if ADMIN_NETWORK_IP is specified and ADMIN_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC.

Optional otherwise.

ADMIN_NETWORK_MTU

Value Designation

The maximum transmission unit (MTU) for this node on the Admin Network. Don't specify if ADMIN_NETWORK_CONFIG = DHCP. If specified, the value must be between 1280 and 9216. If omitted, 1500 is used.

If you want to use jumbo frames, set the MTU to a value suitable for jumbo frames, such as 9000. Otherwise, keep the default value.

IMPORTANT: The MTU value of the network must match the value configured on the switch port the node is connected to. Otherwise, network performance issues or packet loss might occur.

Examples:

1500

8192

Optional

ADMIN_NETWORK_TARGET

Value Designation

Name of the host device that you will use for Admin Network access by the StorageGRID node. Only network interface names are supported. Typically, you use a different interface name than what was specified for GRID_NETWORK_TARGET or CLIENT_NETWORK_TARGET.

Note: Don't use bond or bridge devices as the network target. Either configure a VLAN (or other virtual interface) on top of the bond device, or use a bridge and virtual Ethernet (veth) pair.

Best practice:Specify a value even if this node will not initially have an Admin Network IP address. Then you can add an Admin Network IP address later, without having to reconfigure the node on the host.

Examples:

bond0.1002

ens256

Best practice

ADMIN_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE

Value Designation

Interface (This is the only supported value.)

Optional

ADMIN_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE_INTERFACE_CLONE_MAC

Value Designation

True or False

Set the key to "true" to cause the StorageGRID container use the MAC address of the host host target interface on the Admin Network.

Best practice: In networks where promiscuous mode would be required, use the ADMIN_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE_INTERFACE_CLONE_MAC key instead.

For more details on MAC cloning:

Best practice

ADMIN_ROLE

Value Designation

Primary or non-primary

This key is only required when NODE_TYPE = VM_Admin_Node; don't specify it for other node types.

Required when NODE_TYPE = VM_Admin_Node

Optional otherwise.

Block device keys

BLOCK_DEVICE_AUDIT_LOGS

Value Designation

Path and name of the block device special file this node will use for persistent storage of audit logs.

Examples:

/dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:03:00.0-scsi-0:0:0:0

/dev/disk/by-id/wwn-0x600a09800059d6df000060d757b475fd

/dev/mapper/sgws-adm1-audit-logs

Required for nodes with NODE_TYPE = VM_Admin_Node. Don't specify it for other node types.

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_nnn

Value Designation

Path and name of the block device special file this node will use for persistent object storage. This key is only required for nodes with NODE_TYPE = VM_Storage_Node; don't specify it for other node types.

Only BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_000 is required; the rest are optional. The block device specified for BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_000 must be at least 4 TB; the others can be smaller.

Don't leave gaps. If you specify BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_005, you must also specify BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_004.

Note: For compatibility with existing deployments, two-digit keys are supported for upgraded nodes.

Examples:

/dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:03:00.0-scsi-0:0:0:0

/dev/disk/by-id/wwn-0x600a09800059d6df000060d757b475fd

/dev/mapper/sgws-sn1-rangedb-000

Required:

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_000

Optional:

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_001

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_002

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_003

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_004

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_005

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_006

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_007

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_008

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_009

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_010

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_011

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_012

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_013

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_014

BLOCK_DEVICE_RANGEDB_015

BLOCK_DEVICE_TABLES

Value Designation

Path and name of the block device special file this node will use for persistent storage of database tables. This key is only required for nodes with NODE_TYPE = VM_Admin_Node; don't specify it for other node types.

Examples:

/dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:03:00.0-scsi-0:0:0:0

/dev/disk/by-id/wwn-0x600a09800059d6df000060d757b475fd

/dev/mapper/sgws-adm1-tables

Required

BLOCK_DEVICE_VAR_LOCAL

Value Designation

Path and name of the block device special file this node will use for its /var/local persistent storage.

Examples:

/dev/disk/by-path/pci-0000:03:00.0-scsi-0:0:0:0

/dev/disk/by-id/wwn-0x600a09800059d6df000060d757b475fd

/dev/mapper/sgws-sn1-var-local

Required

Client Network keys

CLIENT_NETWORK_CONFIG

Value Designation

DHCP, STATIC, or DISABLED

Optional

CLIENT_NETWORK_GATEWAY

Value

Designation

IPv4 address of the local Client Network gateway for this node, which must be on the subnet defined by CLIENT_NETWORK_IP and CLIENT_NETWORK_MASK. This value is ignored for DHCP-configured networks.

Examples:

1.1.1.1

10.224.4.81

Optional

CLIENT_NETWORK_IP

Value Designation

IPv4 address of this node on the Client Network.

This key is only required when CLIENT_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC; don't specify it for other values.

Examples:

1.1.1.1

10.224.4.81

Required when CLIENT_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC

Optional otherwise.

CLIENT_NETWORK_MAC

Value Designation

The MAC address for the Client Network interface in the container.

This field is optional. If omitted, a MAC address will be generated automatically.

Must be 6 pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons.

Example: b2:9c:02:c2:27:20

Optional

CLIENT_NETWORK_MASK

Value Designation

IPv4 netmask for this node on the Client Network.

Specify this key when CLIENT_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC; don't specify it for other values.

Examples:

255.255.255.0

255.255.248.0

Required if CLIENT_NETWORK_IP is specified and CLIENT_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC

Optional otherwise.

CLIENT_NETWORK_MTU

Value Designation

The maximum transmission unit (MTU) for this node on the Client Network. Don't specify if CLIENT_NETWORK_CONFIG = DHCP. If specified, the value must be between 1280 and 9216. If omitted, 1500 is used.

If you want to use jumbo frames, set the MTU to a value suitable for jumbo frames, such as 9000. Otherwise, keep the default value.

IMPORTANT: The MTU value of the network must match the value configured on the switch port the node is connected to. Otherwise, network performance issues or packet loss might occur.

Examples:

1500

8192

Optional

CLIENT_NETWORK_TARGET

Value Designation

Name of the host device that you will use for Client Network access by the StorageGRID node. Only network interface names are supported. Typically, you use a different interface name than what was specified for GRID_NETWORK_TARGET or ADMIN_NETWORK_TARGET.

Note: Don't use bond or bridge devices as the network target. Either configure a VLAN (or other virtual interface) on top of the bond device, or use a bridge and virtual Ethernet (veth) pair.

Best practice: Specify a value even if this node will not initially have a Client Network IP address. Then you can add a Client Network IP address later, without having to reconfigure the node on the host.

Examples:

bond0.1003

ens423

Best practice

CLIENT_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE

Value Designation

Interface (This is only supported value.)

Optional

CLIENT_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE_INTERFACE_CLONE_MAC

Value Designation

True or False

Set the key to "true" to cause the StorageGRID container to use the MAC address of the host target interface on the Client Network.

Best practice: In networks where promiscuous mode would be required, use the CLIENT_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE_INTERFACE_CLONE_MAC key instead.

For more details on MAC cloning:

Best practice

Grid Network keys

GRID_NETWORK_CONFIG

Value Designation

STATIC or DHCP

Defaults to STATIC if not specified.

Best practice

GRID_NETWORK_GATEWAY

Value Designation

IPv4 address of the local Grid Network gateway for this node, which must be on the subnet defined by GRID_NETWORK_IP and GRID_NETWORK_MASK. This value is ignored for DHCP-configured networks.

If the Grid Network is a single subnet with no gateway, use either the standard gateway address for the subnet (X.Y.Z.1) or this node's GRID_NETWORK_IP value; either value will simplify potential future Grid Network expansions.

Required

GRID_NETWORK_IP

Value Designation

IPv4 address of this node on the Grid Network. This key is only required when GRID_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC; don't specify it for other values.

Examples:

1.1.1.1

10.224.4.81

Required when GRID_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC

Optional otherwise.

GRID_NETWORK_MAC

Value Designation

The MAC address for the Grid Network interface in the container.

Must be 6 pairs of hexadecimal digits separated by colons.

Example: b2:9c:02:c2:27:30

Optional

If omitted, a MAC address will be generated automatically.

GRID_NETWORK_MASK

Value Designation

IPv4 netmask for this node on the Grid Network. Specify this key when GRID_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC; don't specify it for other values.

Examples:

255.255.255.0

255.255.248.0

Required when GRID_NETWORK_IP is specified and GRID_NETWORK_CONFIG = STATIC.

Optional otherwise.

GRID_NETWORK_MTU

Value Designation

The maximum transmission unit (MTU) for this node on the Grid Network. Don't specify if GRID_NETWORK_CONFIG = DHCP. If specified, the value must be between 1280 and 9216. If omitted, 1500 is used.

If you want to use jumbo frames, set the MTU to a value suitable for jumbo frames, such as 9000. Otherwise, keep the default value.

IMPORTANT: The MTU value of the network must match the value configured on the switch port the node is connected to. Otherwise, network performance issues or packet loss might occur.

IMPORTANT: For the best network performance, all nodes should be configured with similar MTU values on their Grid Network interfaces. The Grid Network MTU mismatch alert is triggered if there is a significant difference in MTU settings for the Grid Network on individual nodes. The MTU values don't have to be the same for all network types.

Examples:

1500

8192

Optional

GRID_NETWORK_TARGET

Value Designation

Name of the host device that you will use for Grid Network access by the StorageGRID node. Only network interface names are supported. Typically, you use a different interface name than what was specified for ADMIN_NETWORK_TARGET or CLIENT_NETWORK_TARGET.

Note: Don't use bond or bridge devices as the network target. Either configure a VLAN (or other virtual interface) on top of the bond device, or use a bridge and virtual Ethernet (veth) pair.

Examples:

bond0.1001

ens192

Required

GRID_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE

Value Designation

Interface (This is the only supported value.)

Optional

GRID_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE_INTERFACE_CLONE_MAC

Value Designation

True or False

Set the value of the key to "true" to cause the StorageGRID container to use the MAC address of the host target interface on the Grid Network.

Best practice: In networks where promiscuous mode would be required, use the GRID_NETWORK_TARGET_TYPE_INTERFACE_CLONE_MAC key instead.

For more details on MAC cloning:

Best practice

Installation password key (temporary)

CUSTOM_TEMPORARY_PASSWORD_HASH

Value Designation

For the primary Admin Node, set a default temporary password for the StorageGRID Installation API during installation.

Note: Set an installation password on the primary Admin Node only. If you attempt to set a password on another node type, validation of the node configuration file will fail.

Setting this value has no effect when installation has completed.

If this key is omitted, by default no temporary password is set. Alternatively, you can set a temporary password using the StorageGRID Installation API.

Must be a crypt() SHA-512 password hash with format $6$<salt>$<password hash> for a password of at least 8 and no more than 32 characters.

This hash can be generated using CLI tools, such as the openssl passwd command in SHA-512 mode.

Best practice

Interfaces key

INTERFACE_TARGET_nnnn

Value Designation

Name and optional description for an extra interface you want to add to this node. You can add multiple extra interfaces to each node.

For nnnn, specify a unique number for each INTERFACE_TARGET entry you are adding.

For the value, specify the name of the physical interface on the bare-metal host. Then, optionally, add a comma and provide a description of the interface, which is displayed on the VLAN interfaces page and the HA groups page.

Example: INTERFACE_TARGET_0001=ens256, Trunk

If you add a trunk interface, you must configure a VLAN interface in StorageGRID. If you add an access interface, you can add the interface directly to an HA group; you don't need to configure a VLAN interface.

Optional

Maximum RAM key

MAXIMUM_RAM

Value Designation

The maximum amount of RAM that this node is allowed to consume. If this key is omitted, the node has no memory restrictions. When setting this field for a production-level node, specify a value that is at least 24 GB and 16 to 32 GB less than the total system RAM.

Note: The RAM value affects a node's actual metadata reserved space. See the description of what Metadata Reserved Space is.

The format for this field is numberunit, where unit can be b, k, m, or g.

Examples:

24g

38654705664b

Note: If you want to use this option, you must enable kernel support for memory cgroups.

Optional

Node type keys

NODE_TYPE

Value Designation

Type of node:

  • VM_Admin_Node

  • VM_Storage_Node

  • VM_Archive_Node

  • VM_API_Gateway

Required

STORAGE_TYPE

Value Designation

Defines the type of objects a Storage Node contains. For more information, see Types of Storage Nodes. This key is only required for nodes with NODE_TYPE = VM_Storage_Node; don't specify it for other node types. Storage types:

  • combined

  • data

  • metadata

Note: If the STORAGE_TYPE is not specified, the Storage Node type is set to combined (data and metadata) by default.

Optional

Port remap keys

PORT_REMAP

Value Designation

Remaps any port used by a node for internal grid node communications or external communications. Remapping ports is necessary if enterprise networking policies restrict one or more ports used by StorageGRID, as described in Internal grid node communications or External communications.

IMPORTANT: Don't remap the ports you are planning to use to configure load balancer endpoints.

Note: If only PORT_REMAP is set, the mapping that you specify is used for both inbound and outbound communications. If PORT_REMAP_INBOUND is also specified, PORT_REMAP applies only to outbound communications.

The format used is: network type/protocol/default port used by grid node/new port, where network type is grid, admin, or client, and protocol is tcp or udp.

Example: PORT_REMAP = client/tcp/18082/443

You can also remap multiple ports using a comma-separated list.

Example: PORT_REMAP = client/tcp/18082/443, client/tcp/18083/80

Optional

PORT_REMAP_INBOUND

Value Designation

Remaps inbound communications to the specified port. If you specify PORT_REMAP_INBOUND but don't specify a value for PORT_REMAP, outbound communications for the port are unchanged.

IMPORTANT: Don't remap the ports you are planning to use to configure load balancer endpoints.

The format used is: network type/protocol/remapped port/default port used by grid node, where network type is grid, admin, or client, and protocol is tcp or udp.

Example: PORT_REMAP_INBOUND = grid/tcp/3022/22

You can also remap multiple inbound ports using a comma-separated list.

Example: PORT_REMAP_INBOUND = grid/tcp/3022/22, admin/tcp/3022/22

Optional